Chapter 12
Aria
Iam so fucked .
The apartment door closes behind me and I finally shake from my stupor. That was not the outcome I expected or hoped for, but I can’t bring myself to be upset or disappointed.
I’m not used to someone else taking care of me. Jacob always praised me for being self-sufficient and independent. He would offer help here and there, sure, but he always looked so fucking proud when I refused that help.
Lucy is nothing like him.
And that’s why I am so utterly fucked.
Because I think I am falling in love with her.
Which is completely and utterly ridiculous, I chide myself as I unlock my phone and start focusing on job searching, because in no world is it a good idea to fall in love with the woman my boyfriend was cheating on me with. That just doesn’t happen in the real world.
Does it?
Could it?
I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a harsh breath before crossing the apartment to the guest room Lucy put me up in.
The ridiculous number of gifts are still sitting there, taunting me.
I rifle through the sports drinks and find a blue one (the superior flavor) and down about half of it, falling into the armchair as I do so.
I am attracted to Lucy. That much is obvious. What is also becoming obvious is that she may also be attracted to me.
So now what do I do?
***
About an hour later, I am packing the rest of my things to head back to the hotel. Though it has been lovely being here, I desperately need a shower and clean clothes and, most importantly, my laptop.
I have a little bit of savings to get me through, but unless I find another job I will never be approved to rent another place. If I have to keep staying at the hotel, it will deplete my savings even faster. So, I really need to hit the ground running and find a new job as quickly as possible.
Just as I am about to pull up the rideshare app on my phone, I hear the front door to the apartment open and close. I look up to see Lucy gliding through with takeout bags in her hands from the local Thai place.
“Hey, I wasn’t sure what you would like, but you seemed like a chicken Pad Thai kind of girl, so I got you one of those. If that doesn’t sound good, though, I also got—” she cuts off as she sees me packed and ready to go, before raising her eyebrow in question.
“I really appreciate your hospitality, and I would love to stay for dinner, but—” I gesture to my disheveled state. “—I really need a shower. And I have to go back to the hotel at some point, anyway, so…” I trail off with a shrug. I am pleased to see her nod, though her eyes stay narrowed.
“Right, I meant to ask you, why are you staying in a hotel?”
I wince at the question, but I understand the curiosity.
“Jacob and I…well, we lived together before and unfortunately the house is in his name, so I needed somewhere to stay while I search for a new place. The Orchard Suites was within my budget.” I shrug with a casualness I don’t feel and refocus on uselessly straightening my items once again to avoid her gaze.
“Not to be crude, but ‘was’ is the operative word here, right?” she says, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. “Now that you also have to search for a job…”
“I know,” I sigh and plop onto the sofa. “It is no longer a viable solution. But, my sister lives with a group of roommates already and I don’t have any other family in the area.”
Lucy is quiet for a moment, seeming to weigh her words carefully, before she comes over and joins me on the couch.
Turning towards me, she reaches over and places a hand on my knee; I am barely able to contain the gasp I feel trying to escape at her touch.
It feels like jolts of electricity traveling through the essence of my being.
I repeat: I am so utterly fucked.
“Aria,” she says, taking another deep breath, “I have an extra bedroom here that literally never gets used—”
“No,” I interrupt, standing to break the connection between us.
Unfortunately, I have to grab onto the back of the couch to keep my dizziness in check, which dilutes the power of the move.
She immediately stands to assist me, but I hold out a hand to stop her.
To her credit, she stops at once, though stays within arm’s reach.
“Lucy, I know I am a bit of a mess,” I stop her as she tries to interrupt me, and continue, “I am, and I own that. But, you don’t need to sign up to deal with this.
I will be fine. I have my own savings in place.
I don’t need to put a strain on you as well.
” I have more to say, but Lucy gives a short laugh, then slaps a hand over her mouth and gives me an apologetic look.
“Sorry, Cherry, I promise I’m not laughing at you,” she says, and I believe her, though I do I see the amusement in her eyes. “It’s just…you do know that I am one of the owners of Karma, right?” My mouth pops open.
No, I did not know that.
She must see the truth in my expression because she nods and continues.
“Yeah, I kind of figured. We are the most popular non-sexual, alcohol-free space for the LGBTQ+ community in the entire city.
On top of that, the ‘New Artist’ nights are extraordinarily popular and bring in a lot of foot traffic and revenue.
I was going over the books today in the office; I can personally afford to take a two-week all expenses paid vacation and not have to worry about a damn thing.
“I can tell you’re used to thinking you’re a burden, Cherry, and I would love to get my hands on whoever made you feel that way, but I promise you that’s not how I see you.
I don’t pity you or see you as some sort of charity case.
I genuinely enjoy your company and would honestly love to have you around.
Once you find a new job, if you felt the need to contribute, we could talk about it then, but I don’t want you to worry about it now.
Just stay. No strings attached. Just…let me put you up in my spare room until you get back on your feet? Please?”
I am stunned speechless.
This woman is going to be the death of me.
Her honey eyes are absolutely swimming with the sincerity that is pouring off of her in waves.
I think she could convince me to do just about anything with one look.
“I…um…but…” I stutter, but I swear her eyes shine even brighter and I hear my own words before I decide to say them, “Fine, but only temporarily, and I will help out—”
“Yay!” she darts forward and captures me in another hug, which I melt into even faster than I did earlier in the day. “Let’s go back to your hotel, grab the rest of your stuff, and get you settled in here. But first, dinner is waiting. Come on, let me show you where everything is.”
As she grabs my hand and gives me a tour of the small kitchen, I am gripped with a wave of nerves at the idea of sharing a space with her. Why?
Because how the hell am I going to hide my attraction to her while I am living in her home?